The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-01-27

how-now he's gone in a good causer'
And the others, following their leader,
made haste to get into the road and
away to a place of safety, leaving Abe
Potts frozen to the ground with wonder
and despair. That night, as Roxy sat
sadly knitting socks for those who were
fighting so bravely, Toby crept up and
ieant his elbows on her knees.
Roxy" he whispered, "if yer don't
see Toby no more arter ter night don't t
be skeered! Pm agoin' arter Rod ;"
he said, solemnly, as his sister started
with surprise.
NO, no, Tobe" winding her strong,
young arms close about his thin, little
form, you've got to stay hyah an take
keer OF us now," she murmured. sooth-
ingly. as gently swaying to and fro she
rocked his head in her lap. Two big
tears fell on her busy fingers, then press
ing kiss on her sunburnt cheek, he
drew near the bright wood fire and sat
still holding his face between his hands,
watching, perhaps for the last time. the
pine knots blaze and burn; watching
till the light died down to red ashes.
then crumbled into dust When the sun
rose again, gliding the purple mountain
peaks and touching the tiny clouds till
they glowed like molten silver. lobe
was far on his way to the Federal camp.
Morning waxed 10 noontide and still
the little figure in patched clothes cover
cd with dust travelled unweariedlv.
Now and then stopping to bathe his
feet in some wayside spring, snatching
fallen apple kissed too hotly by the
autumn sun. on and on past the SWELL
ing hills, fond and projecting as a moth
er's breasts, till the long shadows
stretch, like Grants arms, toward the
sea. Another turn in the rocky road
and Toby sees tents pitched closed at
hand. before which sentinels in blue
uniform pass necessarily.
Toby brings no passport, nothing but
Il brave heart and pair of big brown
eyes. bright now with great hope.
Want 10 be stable boy. do you,
Johnny Reb?" laughs the soldier.
Toby pulls his forelock in imitation
of military etiquette. 1t pleases the man,
who, slapping him not unkindly on his
thin shoulders, pushes him toward the
inclosure. There's the stable. Go see
what you can dor'
Saddle the new horse for the Colonel
if YOU can-I can't manage him."
shouts private.
An instant and the boys hand presses
the horses neck-well do they know
each other. playmates for years. The
horse bends his glossy neck in loving
submission. The color comes and goes
in Toby's cheek like pulse. This is
the moment for him to act, and like a
flash he is in his accustomed seat and
together they dash at the rude log fence,
clearing it at one bound, aud fly madly
across the grass out 10 the open road.
A whistling sound breaks the air near
Toby's another and another, as
they 60 like pent-up storm. Toby's
hat lies back in the camp and his brown
hair flies out straight behind him.
Without turning his head he knows
they are following him. 1t was too
much for little Rebel to steal such
horse under their very noses, and three
soldiers are coming in hot pursuit.
Roderick knows it too and strains
himself to the utmost; he leaps across
the parched brook, up the mountain
side, breaking the dry twigs and scat
tering the fallen leaves. Bullets were
whizzlng through the hazy air and Toby
feels sharp. quick pain in his side-it
is nothing, he thinks something strikes
his arm aud it drops powerless 10 his
side; but the faithful horse knows the
beloved form he carries and seems by
the swaying of his body to hold the
rider firm. The three soldiers are close
upon them now. Toby could hear their
shouts but that he is sunk into sort of
dream. He seems to be gathering
SIlmac ar The Golden mOuntain side with
Roxy. and looking up sees Roderick fly
ing past. Three men are csose behind
him, and in front cloud of dust rises
up like smoke from Il battle ground.
There are more soldiers behind the
cloud-soldiers in gray. who are cheer
ing family in the distance. The boy
reels in his seat. but rousing himself in
time catches the borse's silky name
close in his fingers.
Roderlck knows that he must win this
race for liberty. and with final effort
Gashes forward on the home stretch.
The shouts of the grays rend the air as
the next moment they surround the
fugitives.
A tall, angular figure catches the boy
in his arms. but a mist blinds Toby's
eyes now-he cannot see the love and
pride that soften the old rugged face.
can scarcely hear the broken words.
My Tobe-my brave boy, speak to
yer ole pap"
Only for a moment the big brown
eyes open wide and the skinny little
hand feels for his fathers horny fingers
Pap" he gasps. hesitatingly, 1--we
brung-Pete's hosS-hOme.